National Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services, Mr Makgothi Thobakgale, addressed high-achieving learners at the Moletsi National Senior Certificate Top Achievers Ceremony on 17 January 2026, praising the visionary leadership of Kgoshi Kgabo Moloto III in championing educational excellence.
National Commissioner Thobakgale framed his commendation with a stark reality, highlighting that correctional centres in the Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West region are currently 151% over capacity, holding 26,931 inmates against a designed capacity of 17,813. “These numbers are not just statistics,” he stated. “They represent a profound societal failure and a clear warning of the path we must help our youth avoid.”
He positioned education as the most powerful crime-prevention tool, essential for securing a future free from conflict with the law. The National Commissioner highlighted the deliberate guidance, discipline, and support needed to steer young people toward opportunity and responsible citizenship, citing proactive interventions by the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster in Eastern Cape schools as a model.
Celebrating the top achievers, he encouraged them to pursue professional careers and consider the diverse opportunities within the Department of Correctional Services. He concluded by reaffirming the indispensable role of families and communities in instilling values and guiding youth, underscoring that building safer communities is a collective responsibility.